Key Insight 3
Historic Photo of Ward 1: Columbia, SC
The History Beneath Our Feet
My EDSE 500: Equity and Community Engagement and ENGL 428A: African American Literature: to 1903 classes revealed to me the rich history of Columbia, SC. Through these courses, I was able to gather a more in depth understanding of the history of systemic racism in not only the United States, but South Carolina, and how it impacts our communities today. EDSE 500 focuses on implementing community engagement with the youth in Columbia while discussing ways to make education and society more equitable. The conversation around equity was heavily influenced by constructs such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. A large portion of our understanding of how these societal constructs were developed lies in the history of the United States. I was fortunate enough to acquire an even more in depth knowledge of the hardships and brutalities that the African American population faced throughout history and even today, through both EDSE 500 and ENGL 428A. In African American Literature, I was able to read a variety of works from various African American authors leading up to 1903. I was able to analyze the works of authors like Ida B. Wells, Harriet Jacobs, Phillis Wheatley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Francis Harper and Booker T. Washington. Having been exposed to these powerful authors, activists and pivotal historical moments, I now have developed an understanding about the importance of knowing your community and its history in order to inspire positive change within the current community. Knowing the history and cultural entities that exist where you live and work is crucial to building a sense of community amongst your workplace and clients. To be a successful SLP, I know that my work cannot just exist within that environment. I have to know my community, know the people in which I serve, and consistently bear this in mind. No matter if I am working with a patient that is pediatric or adult, neurotypical or neurodiverse, I need to support their needs through cultural, historical, and demographic competencies.
While the conversations we had in ENGL 428A: African American Literature concerning literature up to 1903 and the residual effects in the modern day were more abstract in nature, EDSE 500: Equity and Community Engagement has allowed me to enhance this knowledge through class discussion of how Columbia has been influenced by the history of slavery and racism, and even the role that the University of South Carolina had during this time. Our class was fortunate enough to have a guest lecturer attend, Michael Mewborne (PhD Candidate-Georgraphy-USC), who discussed how housing, taxation, and redlining during the late 1900s were largely influenced by the history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination. Redlining, exists even today in Columbia, SC, as seen in the map to the right which was dated in 2021. This is just one photo included in Mewborne's presentation of how there are still lingering affects of segregation that began during the Antebellum Period. It is important to recognize that Ward 1, which was considered a predominantly black district in the late 1900s, was bought by the University in addition to historical landmarks like the Booker T. Washington High School, which is now only partially maintained and used as an auditorium. The residents of these homes were displaced and then forced to put their children in different school districts as well, moving to areas that would soon be redlined by the government.
Francis Harper Response Paper: WTC (ENGL 428A)-Supplemental Artifact
Ticket Verification for Modjeska Simkins House (BTC Supplemental Artifact)
Mewborne Presentation (WTC) EDSE 500 Supplemental Artifact
Photo from Modjeska Simkins House-Historic Redlining (BTC Artifact-Supplementary)
Photo from Modjeska Simkins House (Request for Hospital Donations)-BTC Artifact- supplementary
Photo from Modjeska Simkins House (Response letter for requests for donations)-BTC Artifact- supplementary
I recently attended a tour of the Modjeska Simkins House (BTC) (Notes and photos linked to the right) which is a historical landmark preserved here in Columbia. During the tour and while examining the rich history in each room of the house, it became evident that many of the historical locations celebrating black culture and history in Columbia are not widely discussed or known about. Modjeska Simkins was one the leading Civil Rights Activists in the mid to late 20th century. This tour truly put into perspective for the not only the hardships that the African American community endured here in Columbia but the amount of work they had to do in order to receive funding for basic services such as healthcare systems and schools. During this tour, one of the main topics we discussed is understanding and engaging with communities of youth and adults today in Columbia, starts with taking the time to learn the history of the city itself. There are other districts like Hopkins, which used to have a significantly populated and developed town, but due to segregation and redlining, eventually received minimal funding and could no longer afford to keep many of these locations open.
Modjeska Simkins House Tour Notes (Primary BTC Artifact)
African American Literature (ENGL 428A Final Essay- WTC Primary Artifact)
In my African American Literature class, I wrote my final paper (linked to the left) on a topic similar to what was displayed and discussed at the Modjeska Simkins house: the idea that the institution of slavery has continued to debilitate the African American demographics across the United States. This idea can especially be seen in Columbia as many of the districts that were redlined in the 1960s continue to be redlined and underfunded today. My essay compared Ida B. Wells writing on the lynching that were occurring across the south and the documentary "13th" which can be found on Netflix which discusses how we as a country have simply adapted our constructs and policy to continue to segregate and discriminate against minorities. The main example given in the documentary was through our incarceration system. Through these examples, I was able to connect what I learned through these readings and research I conducted for my final essay to the historical artifacts and tour I observed at the Modjeska Simkins house. Artifacts included newspaper clippings from unjust lynching that were occurring across South Carolina and letters from various NAACP associated organizations across the US contributing donations to Simkin's efforts to establish a hospital and additional supplies for African Americans in need.
Photo from the Modjeska Simkins house (Newspaper Article) Supplementary Artifact
Why does this history matter though? Well, that lies with the efforts and education that has been established in my both EDSE 500: Equity and Community Engagement Class and ENGL 428A: African American Literature: to 1903. Knowledge of history does not only make us informed citizens and individuals but is also teaches us the importance of engaging with a community or demographic to ensure there are equitable resources available for those in the school, as in the case of the EDSE class, or even in the workplace. Through these classes and my experience touring the Modjeska Simkins house, I have been able to conceptualize the importance of understanding not only the history around me but also how history continues to influence us today, and how certain demographics receive more or less of an advantage due to societal constructs. By having this knowledge I hope to continue to educate myself about the history of Columbia, but also wherever I end up in my future endeavors. A large part of knowing, serving, and engaging in a community through work, like speech-language pathology, means that you understand more than just modern day appearances and stereotypes.